About the GuestNeal Rickner is the CEO of Airloom, a US-based clean energy company reimagining how we harness wind power. Neal began his career as an F-18 pilot in the US Marines before transitioning through Columbia Business School into a decade at Google and Google X. There, he worked on breakthrough energy and technology initiatives, including airborne wind systems. His unique mix of military discipline, commercial insight, and innovation leadership positions him perfectly to lead Airloom’s mission to deliver low-cost, scalable wind energy. Episode SummaryIn this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner talks with Airloom CEO Neal Rickner about a radical rethink of wind power. While most people picture towering three-bladed turbines dominating windy landscapes, Neal explains why that long-standing model—though effective—is reaching its practical limits. Wind’s “first generation” has been a success, but further scaling it is hitting physical, logistical, and economic barriers. Airloom’s solution represents what Neal calls “Wind 2.0.” Instead of building ever-larger vertical turbines, Airloom uses a ground-level, track-based system resembling an oval stadium or roller coaster. Attached wings capture the wind, pulling a continuous belt that drives generators at the corners. Built from standard steel and aluminium components, the system is modular, easy to transport in shipping containers, and can be installed without cranes—dramatically reducing costs and opening up new sites for generation. Neal shares how Airloom’s design achieves roughly half the cost per swept area compared to traditional turbines, enabling deployment in regions that lack the infrastructure for massive towers. The conversation dives into the physics, economics, and engineering trade-offs that underpin this breakthrough approach, including insights from Neal’s past at Google X and how Airloom integrates lessons learned from decades of conventional wind development. As Airloom builds its first megawatt-scale pilot in Wyoming, Neal reflects on both the challenges and excitement of scaling a technology that could make wind power cheaper and more widely accessible than ever before. Key TakeawaysTraditional three-blade turbines dominate wind energy but face limits due to cost, size, and infrastructure constraints. Airloom’s design uses a horizontal, track-based architecture—cutting swept-area costs by around 50%. The system is made from 95% steel and aluminium, using only 58 unique parts versus about 1,500 in a standard turbine. Airloom’s modular sections fit in standard shipping containers, eliminating cranes and simplifying global deployment. The company is building a megawatt-scale pilot in Wyoming, aiming for a commercial demonstration by mid-2026. Notable Quotes“Energy is our prosperity and our security—it’s where I’ll spend the rest of my career.” — Neal Rickner “We’ve sort of painted ourselves into a corner with wind. The machines keep getting bigger and bigger, and that creates absurd challenges.” — Neal Rickner “Airloom is like a roller coaster for wind—it’s lower, modular, and simple to build with common materials.” — Neal Rickner “We’re building swept area—the thing that makes money—for half the cost.” — Neal Rickner “I’m an impact junkie. I want to do something that matters—and gigawatts of low-cost wind energy can change the world.” — Neal Rickner ResourcesAirloom Energy Shape the System is an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth Ventures Scale up for success. We’re here for that. We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey. Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help. Links: Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/ Contacts: highgrowthventures@kpmg.com.au Shape the System is an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth Ventures Scale up for success. We’re here for that.We navigate founders and their teams to the services they need to reach their next milestone. From startup to scale and beyond. No matter where you are right now, we’ll get you the help you need to drive your business forward. We help founders fully realise their potential, as well as the potential of their team and their business, by connecting them to the expertise, skills and resources they need at every stage of their growth journey. Our extensive experience in partnering with evolving businesses means that we can provide you with tailored support as well as independent and practical insights. Whether you are looking to refine your strategy, establish your operations, prepare for a capital raise, expand abroad or simply comply with regulatory requirements, we are here to help. Links: Website: About (highgrowthventures.com.au) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kpmg-enterprise-high-growth-ventures/ Contacts: highgrowthventures@kpmg.com.au
